PMS can cause emotional and behavioral symptoms similar to
those of depression or ADHD, so it's important to find out whether you have one
of these problems. Some of these problems can get worse during the premenstrual
phase. If you have PMS as well as another disorder, you may need treatment for
both conditions.

Why It Is Done

Your doctor will take
your medical history if you are having any symptoms of PMS. If your symptoms
affect your mood or behavior, a mental health history is important.

Results

A diagnosis of PMS is indicated when:

Your symptoms consistently occur (or get
worse) between the day you ovulate and the first days of your period. While
just over 50 out of 100 women ovulate around 2 weeks before their period, the time of
ovulation can vary from woman to woman and month to month. Use a
menstrual diary(What is a PDF document?) to keep track of when your symptoms occur.

Your medical history does not suggest any other conditions that
may be causing your symptoms.

What To Think About

No single test can diagnose PMS.
A diagnosis of PMS is usually based on your symptoms and medical history. Tests
to check for other medical conditions that might be causing symptoms should be
done only as needed.

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.